Manchester United v Chelsea Tips: Target Telles in the assist market

Fresh from a successful trip to Paris on Tuesday, Manchester United take on Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday. The game kicks off at 5:30pm and can be seen live on Sky Sports Main Event. Chelsea sit eight in the table going into the game, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side down in fifteenth, however at this early stage only two points separate the sides. I’ve picked out three football tips I like the look of for the game which should go well on Saturday evening. 

Manchester United’s manager is expected to stick with the same formation he did against Paris Saint-Germain midweek, with both Alex Telles and Aaron Wan-Bissaka being used as wing-backs. Axel Tuanzebe should keep his place in the side after an excellent showing in the Champions League, however Anthony Martial will miss out due to his three-game domestic ban. There’s large question marks over the fitness of Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood with Dan James possibly incontention for a start alongside Marcus Rashford up top.

Chelsea’s new number one, Edouard Mendy, is back available after a short absence, with Billy Gilmour the only other injury concern for Frank Lampard. Thiago Silva’s workload has been monitored over previous weeks but the manager will want the Brazilian in his side for the trip to Old Trafford.

Having a look at the prices for the game and United have been given odds of 7/5 to win the game - an implied 42% chance of victory. The draw can be backed at 13/5 with a win for Frank Lampard’s side priced at 7/4. I’ve picked out three football tips I like the look of for the game which should go well on Saturday evening. 

Marcus Rashford 2+ shots on target - 1.5pts @ 15/8 Paddy Power

Alex Telles to assist anytime - 1pt @ 6/1 Paddy Power / Betfair

Werner & Fernandes 1+ shot on target, Tuanzebe & Jorginho to be carded - 0.25pts @ 50/1

The first of three selections I’ve opted for is Marcus Rashford to have two or more shots on target, at the boosted price of 15/8 with Paddy Power. What is there to say about this man at the moment, recently awarded an MBE, scoring the winner in Paris on Tuesday, striving to help starving kids on Wednesday. Both on the pitch and off the pitch Marcus Rashford is blazing a trail at the moment.

The 22-year-old, yes you do have to pinch yourself at his age sometimes, has scored five goals for club and country already this season. In each of the last two games in which Rashford has played he has registered three shots on target and with no Anthony Martial against Chelsea on Saturday I think there is more emphasis on Marcus to be the leading threat in front of goal. Sky Bet have this same selection at the odds-on price of 10/11 which gives plenty of appeal to the boosted 15/8 from Paddy Power.

Another player who I was impressed with for Manchester United against PSG on Tuesday was Alex Telles, who made his debut for the club after recently joining from Porto. Deployed as a left-wing back Telles showed an excellent range of passing and a desire to get forward. I’m backing him to have an assist anytime in the match which is available at 6/1 with Paddy Power.

Since the start of the 2017/18 season in Primera Liga and Champions League the Brazilian has scored 22 goals and has contributed 36 assists! The majority of those goals came from the penalty spot but it’s clear to see that the 27-year-old is creative in the final third of the field and loves to be at the centre of things. In the opening three games for Porto this season, Telles managed two assists and with him also on corner duty for Manchester United I think 6/1 from Betfair and Paddy Power looks a fair price. Sky Bet have this same selection at 3/1 which does look more appropriate in my opinion. I’ll be having a small play on the 6/1 on offer from Paddy Power if the wing-back gets the nod from the start.

I always like to put something up for the optimists out there and this Saturday is no different. I’ve picked out at 50/1 with Paddy Power, Bruno Fernandes and Timo Werner to have one or more shots on target with both Axel Tuanzebe and Jorginho to be carded. 

Bruno Fernandes was once again on target from the penalty spot in the Champions League this week. The creative midfielder is United’s top scorer so far this campaign with five goals in all competitions. The 26-year-old has taken six shots on target in his first four league games and he’s the first name I’m adding in here.

Timo Werner got off the mark for Chelsea with two goals in the first 28 minutes against Southampton in a game that ended 3-3. The striker has registered six shots on target so far this season and averages 1.2 shots on target per game.

Moving onto the bookings and there’s a few short prices in the markets out there so with this in mind I’ve picked out Axel Tuanzebe to find his way into Martin Atkinson’s notebook. The 22-year-old was booked against PSG in the week and if he keeps his place in the side he will be eager to impress once again. At 4/1 he looks a more sensible play in the bookings market.

To bring home this 50/1 shot is Chelsea’s Jorginho. Only two players in the Premier League were booked more times than the Italian last season who picked up ten. The Blues midfielder has played four league games so far and has yet to be awarded a single card. Against the trickery of Bruno Fernandes I think this run will come to an end with Jorginho breaking up play and picking up a booking.

Best of luck to those following, enjoy the game and please always gamble responsibly.